Dolby unveiled as new Hastings boss

HASTINGS UNITED are delighted to announce the appointment of Tony Dolby, 33, as their new manager with Mike Rutherford, once again, his assistant.

The pair struck up an excellent working relationship here in Kent during a four year spell in charge of Tonbridge Angels, which was brought to an end on Monday, 29^th October - two days after the Angels shock 3-0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round defeat at Ryman League Division One North side Ware.

Hastings United, who clinched promotion with Maidstone United via the play-off’s last season, are currently languishing in the relegation zone, leading to the departure of Nigel Kane from the manager’s hot-seat at the end of December, since then the east Sussex club have been under the caretaker control of reserve team management duo John Lambert and Wayne Farrier.

Dolby had initially joined Tonbridge as a player ahead of the 2003/04 season, but at just twenty-nine years of age, found himself elevated to the role of player-manager within a matter of months, appointing Rutherford as his right hand man shortly afterwards.

They led the Angels to a third place finish in the Southern League Eastern Division and a place in the Ryman Premier following the restructuring of the non-league game.

Relegation to Division One South followed in their first full season at the helm, but Tonbridge bounced straight back the following season, again finishing third, but winning promotion via the play-offs, and went on to secure a comfortable mid-table finish in the 2006/07 campaign.

Both men started their playing days in the Football League, Dolby with Millwall, and Rutherford with Queens Park Rangers, although both went on to spend the majority of their careers in the upper echelons of non-league football.

But while Dolby appeared for the likes of Barnet, Gravesend & Northfleet and Welling United, amongst others, Rutherford was more of a one club man, making over 300 appearances in an eight year spell with Welling, before joining Chelmsford City and subsequently being forced into semi-retirement by a niggling knee injury.

It is hoped that Dolby will also add some much needed experience to a youthful Hastings United playing squad, with Hastings Chairman Dave Walters also promising to provide his new manager with additional funds to further strengthen the squad, as the club strives to secure its Ryman Premier League status.

"We are delighted to secure the services of Tony Dolby as our new first team manager, along with Mike Rutherford as his assistant,” the chairman told www.hastingsunitedfc.co.uk.  

“Although we advertised the post, there were a couple of people targeted who we wanted to speak with, Tony being one of them.

“He is only thirty-three but has managed at this level with Tonbridge and secured promotion for them a couple of years ago.

“He has extensive contacts in the game and will be looking to strengthen the squad immediately.

“We are convinced that Tony and Mike are the right men to give us the best possible chance of avoiding relegation this season and to build for the future.

“We would like to thank John and Wayne for their considerable efforts in holding the fort since Nigel’s departure, and are very pleased that they have agreed to carry on doing the extremely valuable job of looking after and nurturing our very good reserve side."